Another Sort of Beauty

Deb and I, after driving 8 hours and some, occasionally through violent thunderstorms, arrived in Buffalo (AT THE SAME TIME SENATOR MCCAIN IS VISITING BUFFALO). Out our hotel window, you can see the spectacular Art Deco City Hall.
In no time we saw many friends from the pastorate, some of whom you may know, depending upon how long you've known our church: Burni and Suzi Burnock (with whom we had dinner--let me tell you, that was a loud and unruly table), Bob and Jeannie Hall (from the Bronx Household of Faith), and Ed Whitman among many others. But, before the evening events, Deb and I took the opportunity to drive the half hour up to Niagara Falls, to ride the Maid of the Mist (Deb's first time) and to see the spectacular glory of these falls. Canadian flag picture included for the benefit of both Brian B. and Annette D. (We went up to Niagara-on-the-Lake: boy, do they know how to make beautiful gardens up there in Ontario's wine country!)The evening service began with a mention of our church, as Ed Whitman (whose parents, some of you will remember, attended Carlisle) told the assembly that he had served as one of the delegates from Carlisle Congregational Church in 1960 (the next year's meeting in '61 was held at Carlisle Congregational). It was a tender moment when the well-loved Anne Ortlund, whose husband Ray died around the time of last year's meeting, led in prayer. The band was great, and included a baritone sax, a tasteful and subtle drummer (is there any other kind?), two synthesizers, and a great pianist, accompanying the two brothers who led the singing.Steve Gammon, Conference Minister, closed the evening with a remarkable and full call to challenge the way we think about ourselves and our responsibility to each other and those who do not know Jesus. Weaving the scripture and his personal experiences, as well as the history of the CCCC, Steve laid out what to me was one of his clearest statements of his hopes for our association. Almost incidentally, I was struck, in thinking about Carlisle Congregational Church (herself richly part of the history of the CCCC) when Steve mentioned Acts 19:10. Paul stayed and taught in Ephesus, and Scripture records: This continued (Paul's reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus) for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. All in that region heard in two years. What might this kind of view and this kind of work mean for Carlisle and our local communities? How would we approach it? What would the same thing look like in our century and our culture? I know I will go to bed with this passage running through my mind and heart.Also in my mind and heart will be this banner behind the rostrum, picturing the cross of Jesus as both the foundation/beginning and capstone/finishing of every work we do. Tomorrow, I have the privilege of beginning to rehearse the concert choir, and I never know how many or of what voice will come, so I've brought some 6 anthems as possibilities. Any and all prayer is appreciated.
So, there you have it; in one day, the beauty of great architectural craftsmanship (City Hall), the glory of the work of the Great Architect (Niagara Falls), and the beauty of and glory of Us, His Church.

His and yours, Steve and Deb